APEL (pronounced as ‘apple’) is an acronym for Applied Principles for Effective Living, which is a TP Core programme consisting of three subjects designed and developed by the Centre for Character Education.

APEL 1: Personal Effectiveness
APEL 2: Interpersonal Effectiveness
APEL 3: Extropersonal Effectiveness

APEL aims to nurture in TP students the dispositions (i.e. attitude, skills and knowledge) towards the Principles for Effective Living, hence laying the vital foundation for their life-long success.

In APEL, we define success as a journey towards one’s purpose in life,

• Growing towards one's highest potential,
  (Focus of APEL 1)
• While helping others along, and
  (Focus of APEL 2)
• Making the world a better place.
  (Focus of APEL 3)

Full-time Temasek Polytechnic students may log in to the APEL System here

Character and Success

Stephen Covey in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, writes about the Character Ethic as the real source of an individual's success:

"The Character Ethic taught that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character."

In other words, true success is built upon principles, which are natural laws or fundamental truths that are universal, unchanging, timeless and self-evident.

Values that reflect these principles include respect, integrity, compassion, cooperation, perseverance, initiative and loyalty, which are all part of the Character Ethic. The Golden Rule (e.g. treat others the way you want to be treated) is an example of such a principle.

Accordingly, success is achieved when one internalises these principles, which we refer to here as the Principles For Effective Living. In other words, character is the cornerstone of success.

In sum, APEL curriculum is designed to facilitate the understanding and internalising of the principles that promote effective living.